PLEASANT HILL CAMPUS 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

SAN RAMON CAMPUS 1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon, CA 94582

DVCDIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE

PERKINS STATEMENT This project was funded fully or in part by Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Act of 2006, awarded to Diablo Valley College and administered by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. It is the policy of Diablo Valley College not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in all of its educational and employment programs and activities.

MISSION STATEMENT Diablo Valley College is passionately committed to student learning through the intellectual, scientific, artistic, psychological, and ethical development of its diverse student body. Diablo Valley College prepares students for transfer to four-year universities; provides career and technical education; supports the economic development of the region; offers pre-collegiate programs; and promotes personal growth and lifelong learning.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The district shall not discriminate based on ethnic group identification, race, color, age, citizenship, ancestry, religion, marital status, national origin,sex, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, veteran status, parental status, or because a student is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics

RESPIRATORY THERAPYDEGREE PROGRAM

Apply for the programApplications are accepted each spring term; refer to the program website: www.ohlone.edu/instr/rt for applica-tion deadlines. It is recommended that you research this profession before applying and plan adequate time to take the prerequisite classes: college English, intermedi-ate algebra, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and physics. For those who have not taken any previous college courses in English and algebra, as-sessment tests, which evaluate English and math ability, are required.

Admission to the program by application only. For those who have taken all of the science requirements of the program, chances of acceptance are good.

How long will it take to earn a degree? This program takes a minimum of two years to complete and cannot be accelerated, even by those already holding advanced degrees. The program only accepts full time students.

Are there any additional costs associated with the program?Once admitted to the program, purchase of a uniform is required. RT students also need purchase approxi-mately $250 of miscellaneous supplies. The required books and software throughout the two years cost about $1,000. Self assessment exams, costing approx-imately $200 are required in the last term. License application and exam in the last term is currently approximately $650. Students must also have reliable transportation to complete their hospital site courses.

Enrollment Information:

www.dvc.edu/programs

Admissions Office 925-685-1310

Counseling Office 925-969-2140

last updated: 5-26-17

I’M INTERESTED.WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Why study respiratory therapy?The profession of respiratory care is growing rapidly. The level of demand for skilled therapists continues in the Bay Area and throughout the United States. A career in respiratory therapy is a well-paid, high tech profession with flexible hours and multiple opportunities for advancement with continued education.

In only two years a student can learn skills that will pre-pare them for well-paying, flexible work that often pays more than $30-35 per hour following graduation and successful passage of national board exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

What can I do with an associate degree in respiratory therapy?Respiratory care practitioners work in life saving and supporting situations with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team. Employment op-portunities exist in both traditional and non-traditional work settings including: acute care hospitals and clin-ics, skilled nursing facilities, home care environments, medical equipment companies, and management and educational roles.

Where are classes offered?The respiratory therapy (RT) program is offered in collaboration with Ohlone College in Newark. Students complete general education courses at DVC, laboratory and clinical courses at Ohlone College, and have super-vised clinical practice at local hospitals.

What is the respiratory therapy program?The respiratory therapist, also known as a respiratory care practitioner or RCP, is a specialist in the field of cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) care.

The respiratory therapist applies scientific knowledge and theory to practical clinical problems of respiratory care, and is qualified to assume primary responsibility for respiratory care treatment. Therapists may be called upon to exercise considerable independent clinical judg-ment in the respiratory care of patients, under a physi-cian’s direct or indirect supervision.

The therapist initiates and conducts therapeutic pro-cedures, maintains patient records and communicates relevant information to the other members of the health care team. They also are involved in education and prevention including asthma education and smoking ces-sation programs.

Together, Diablo Valley College and Ohlone College in Fremont offer this joint program designed to prepare students to take the national examination that, upon passing, leads to the credential Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Students in the program take courses at each of the following locations: Ohlone campus, DVC campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and various Bay Area hospitals.

“The program allows students to work together to make their education a worthwhile

experience. You get a real sense of commitment and dedication between students and

faculty, almost like a family.” - Terry Chu, former respiratory therapy student

Respiratory care practitioners work in life saving and supporting situations with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team.